Mehaffy Early Origins

The surname Mehaffy was first found in Wigtown (Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhaile na h-Uige), formerly a county in southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, where they held a family seat from very early times. This distinguished Clan was originally known as the Clan MacKilhaffy and held a family seat at Craig Caffe in the parish of Inch.

Mehaffy Spelling Variations

Mehaffy Spelling Variations

In Medieval times, spelling and translation were not nearly so highly developed as today. They were generally carried out according to the sound and intuition of the bearer. For that reason spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. Mehaffy has been spelled Mahaffy, Mehaffy, MacHaffie, Mahaffie, McHaffie, MacHaffy, McHaffy, MacGilhaffie, McGilhaffie, MacGilhaffy, McGilhaffy, MacKilhaffy, McKilhaffy, MacKilhaffie, McKilhaffie, MacIlhaffie, McIlhaffie, MacIlhaffy, McIlhaffy, MacCaffee, McCaffee, MacCaffie, McCaffie, McCaffy, MacCaffy, Milhaffie, Milhaffy, Mahalfie, Mahalfy and many more.

Mehaffy Early History

Mehaffy Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mehaffy research. Another 228 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1320 and 1540 are included under the topic Early Mehaffy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mehaffy Early Notables (pre 1700)

Mehaffy Early Notables (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Mehaffy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mehaffy In Ireland

Mehaffy In Ireland

Some of the Mehaffy family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 232 words (17 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Unrest, poverty, and persecution caused thousands to look for opportunity and freedom in the North American colonies. The crossing was long, overcrowded, and unsanitary, though, and came only at great expense. Many Strathclyde families settled on the east coast of North America in communities that would form the backbone of what would become the great nations of the United States and Canada. The American War of Independence caused those who remained loyal to England to move north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the 20th century, Strathclyde and other Scottish families across North America began to recover their collective heritage through highland games and Clan societies. Among them: Martin and Martha Mahaffy and their daughter Mary who settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1767; Mary Mahaffy arrived in New York state in 1847.

Contemporary Notables of the name Mehaffy (post 1700)

Contemporary Notables of the name Mehaffy (post 1700)

Tom Miller Mehaffy (1859-1944), American Democrat politician, Mayor of Benton, Arkansas, 1888-89; Member of Arkansas State House of Representatives, 1889-91; Member of Arkansas State Senate, 1892-96

The Mehaffy Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Mehaffy Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.